My Christmas Shopping....

Hi all, I forgot to show you some goodies I got for myself and wanted to post these before the New Year began. Don't you just LOVE shopping for yourself, LOL? To start with I had Kay & hubby make me this wonderful hand carved dough bowl/trencher. He did an excellent job on it and I'm tickled pink! I had been looking for one just the right size for my small table, yet I wanted a good size as I love the large ones. So he made this one 24" long for me and it will be the perfect fit! (I told Kay once I get a larger table to look out....cause I'll be back for a larger one, LMBO!) And how sweet of them to include the hand carved scoop! To Kay & hubby I thank you both so very much! (This was my Christmas gift to myself, lol!) Visit Kay & hubby here:  Kentucky Hillbilly Crafters

And I got these from PrimSignMaker Tammy! She makes wonderful creations and I LOVE all my seasonal tree ornies! They're perfect for my new cinnamon twig tree. She also made some of my signs by special order. Tammy you do wonderful work and I thank you for all my goodies! (Of course you know I'll be back for more too, giggles.) And the packaging was sooooo cute! You can find Tammy in most of the forums or contact me and I'll link you up with her! (Yip, I'm urging her to get a blog going, lol!)

 

Of course my bad pics don't do her wonderful signs any justice, you'll just have to get some and see for yourself. Also thanks Tammy for the extra goodies you put in my box, love it all!

Next I took a little trip to Tricia's store and got even more wonderful goodies! She & hubby Ken were so kind and helpful to me, they're WONDERFUL people and if you've shopped with them, you already know this. I got these last minute goodies and wished I had went there sooner, but of course I'll be venturing back, lol! First is my favorite and it turned out to be little Sassy's favorite too as she had him playing with him for some time before I realized he was missing, lol. (For those of you that don't know, Sassy, my grand daughter, is my little crafter & helper. She's always into everything I do and LOVES anything to do with crafts/crafting!) And again, such cute wrapping! Thanks Tricia & Ken for all my wonderful goodies! And you can find Tricia's store here: Hillcrest Home Prims

As you can see I had a blast shopping for myself and wished I would have started sooner. And to Kay & hubby, Tammy, and Tricia & hubby, thank you all so very much, you made my Christmas wonderful!

And one last thing I must include is this awesome Christmas RAK I got from Jody! She knew this was one of my favorites and totally surprised me with it! I LOVE him dearly Jody you're such a sweetheart, and I can never thank you enough! Isn't he completely adorable!!! And look at that cute Christmas card....it has real fur on Santa's suit, lol, awesome!

I hope you've enjoyed look at my pics and sharing some of my Christmas joy, lol! Next time I'll be posting about a WONDERFUL girl that is into so much, she's sooooo creative, and smart as it comes! And did I forget to say "COMPLETELY ORGANIZED?" You won't want to miss this as there's tons of helpful information we can ALL use and need, plus she has some wonderful creations she's sharing in her crafting tuts! As you know I said before I was going to clean up my act here on this blog (LMBO), and get things more organized. She was the source of my inspiration for doing so and I have been reading, following her for some years now. I've learned so much and I know she's helped countless others! This PrimChick really has her stuff together so be sure to watch for my next post as I'll be sharing more info and links.

Hope everyone is crafting for the upcoming holidays and getting ready for the Spring season!
Hugs to all, Libby

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has enjoyed your Christmas holiday and has a very prosperous and blessed New Year!

I'll be busy the next few days, hubs and I have a few things we need to get taken care of. Since I may not be around much I wanted to share another graphic of my new ABC Sampler. I haven't uploaded it to the Lil' Sis Graphics site yet so you can grab it here if you wish. And, I made a printable of it so you can make as a stitchery if you'd like. Out of all the things I've stitched, I've never taken time to make myself an ABC stitchery. I plan to make several versions of these so keep watch. These will also be on my graphics site listed under Printables. Click on the stitchery graphic below to view full size then save to your hard drive and print at full page setting.

I hope you've all enjoyed this past year of crafting as there were lots of new things shared from various wonderful artists. I'm looking forward to another year of crafting and even though Winter has only just begun, I can't wait till Spring, LOL! It's a nice thought anyway, hey? Be safe, stay warm, and have fun crafting!
Hugs to all, Libby

A Little Work Done....

I managed to get a little more work done on my Lil' Sis Graphics web site today. Only have one prim candle web set freebie but have more to upload. I've started adding various graphics and backgrounds too, just have to go see what I've uploaded so far. One of the graphics I've uploaded is this blue Ball canning jar. This is in .png format so you should be able to see the transparent graphic (not here but on your puter). Wouldn't these make cute everyday prim tags, especially if filled with your own goodies (graphics)?

I made the bottom of this one for sitting on a (graphic) shelf, but I will be making rounded bottoms and various sizes. Another old favorite of mine are the shoofly covers. And here's one I made that will be in different colors too....

I hope everyone has your Christmas shopping out of the way and can sit back, relax, and enjoy the holidays with family & friends! For those of you that are traveling please be safe and stay warm! Till next time I'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hugs to all, Libby

New Ginger Graphics

Hi all, wanted to share some new gingerbread graphics I made yesterday. I was so tickled with the way these turned out! I LOVE my PSP, giggles! I'm in the process of making a "freebie" web set with them and later a blog bg. (Both holiday and plain styles.) They'll be listed with other new graphics I'm working on when I start uploading them all to the Lil' Sis Graphics web site. I can see them used on tags, labels, and all sorts of crafting uses!

These are just a peek but I hope you like what you see so far.

With all the widespread storms hitting most of our areas I hope everyone stays safe and warm! Till next time, Have Fun Crafting!
Hugs to all, Libby

Time Flies!

Hi everyone. The time sure does fly by, hey? Only 12 days till Christmas, yikes, and I'm still decorating, LOL! Seems the other day we still had a month so this is really sneaking upon me. I hope everyone is pretty much finished with your craft shows and had a wonderful year. I see where this second wave of snow is hitting some really fast and hard so make sure you stay warm and safe!

I've been working on graphics in-between everything else and have decided to re-open my freebie graphic site, "Lil' Sis Graphics."  A few months back while looking for freebie primitive forum graphics, I couldn't find any. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right place but searched all over and still came up empty. So, I decided to make some to share with the primitive, colonial, and crafting forums. You'll be able to find the first few samples on my site, but please note I just started the site today and don't have much uploaded yet. Of course I'll have lots of graphics for various uses, and my Poodle Skirt graphics will be back too. I had so many contact me concerning them so I will add those and the skirt tut. (I know that isn't a prim thing but so many used that for school dances, old car shows, and all kinds of events that were really neat.)  The site is definitely a work in progress and will take a while to get everything loaded but hope you'll all visit it from time to time.

Hope everyone has been having fun, staying warm & safe! Till next time....
Hugs to all, Libby

My Little Tree

You may remember a while back I got a cinnamon color twig tree? I finally got it decorated except for the rosehip garland (or maybe the popcorn garland?) and I'm so excited. At last I have something other than a plain green tree, LOL! I'll be moving it as this corner is where my big tree will be, but wanted to take some quick snapshot to share with you. I have dried apple & orange slices, some beeswax Santa ornies, (all from Deb), a mixture of cute little prim ornies, cinnamon dough ornies, and a dipped light string....

While I was working on the tree I also made some garlands of rosehips, popcorn, and dried fruits.

I dipped and grunged some small candles, wrapped in rusty wire for hanging ornies. Also dipped some old pretzel sticks, wrapped in prim heart wire, and dipped again. Love how those turned out...

Last I took some grungy dipped clothespins, added a small red velvet bow, and tied rusty wire around tops for hangers.

Still lots more work to do and things to create. Will share more pics as I make progress. Till next time HAVE FUN CRAFTING!
Hugs to all, Libby

It's That Time Of Year Again!

Hi everyone, it's that time of year again....time to get out those decorations and deck the halls! Or at least that's what I'll be doing this week. I know lots of you have already decorated so you have that job out of the way, and I say congrats to you! I'm hoping to get out my favorite holiday movies, Christmas cd's, and get busy! I had hubs to make me a fireplace some time back and need to finish painting it. Can't wait to get it in place and decorated! I think a fireplace (even my fake one) brings an extra warmth during the holidays and always loved the real ones as a child. To sit and watch the logs burning and snow blowing outside....awwww, what a fond memory! I hope everyone is geared up this holiday season and having loads of fun decorating and shopping! If you're not really in the Christmas spirit yet then play your favorite music, melt those favorite holiday tarts or candles, get a nice cup of hot chocolate and get creative with those decorations. It's all your choice of what and how you want to display things, so do what makes YOU happy and what YOU think looks good! One thing I've learned decorating over the years is that when I make myself happy then everyone else is too, and they always seem to love what I've done.

Also I know some of you still have crafting shows to attend and just want to add that I hope you have loads of fun and have a great show. Hope the weather holds out for you all too!

Till next time have fun crafting!
Hugs to all, Libby

Some Favorite Things....

Wanted to share with you all some of my favorite things. For starters I LOVE the vintage pics and here is one of my favorites for Thanksgiving, plain and simple as it may be...

Some came from cards, old labels, and advertisements but regardless the source, they all are beautiful graphics of days gone by.

Next is a stove board display of some of my most treasured items. I call it my "stove board of thankfulness" as it's not a certain theme but a mixed display of some wonderful gifts from special friends. I want you all to know I cherish each and every item displayed and thank you for touching my heart!

As we all think about our many blessings this holiday please also remember those serving our country that won't be home to fill their chair this year. I send my gratitude, love, and prayers to you all.

May each and everyone have a very blessed, safe, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Hugs to all, Libby

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Prayer 
Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day
We bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You've done
Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see
For joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care
These are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise
With a promise to follow You all of our days.

by--Mary Fairchild

Wishing each and everyone of my followers, family, and friends a very blessed, safe, and Happy Thanksgiving holiday!

Hugs to all Libby

2 New Blogs!

I wanted to share with you all, 2 new blogs as I know we all love crafting and prim decor!

First I'd like to mention Linda's new blog, only a few days old at this time.... "Pine Ridge Handwovens." (http://pineridgehandwovens.blogspot.com/).  Linda is a weaver/spinner and has recently transformed a house into her new studio! Congrats on that Linda as that's a dream most of us still desire! What will Linda be creating? She will be taking us in her new studio and sharing sneak peeks so you don't want to miss that! Go on over and follow Linda's new blog to keep watch, I'm sure we're all in for some wonderful surprises!

And secondly I'd like to mention Betty's new blog, "Through My Back Door." (http://bettyjcrowe-throughmybackdoor.blogspot.com/). Betty loves prim decorating and antique hunting, and it definitely shows in her beautiful prim home! Betty is having a lot of fun right now with various topics/pics on her blog. You just have to view her wonderful displays as she tours through her home. Go follow and join in her fun as she's also gearing up for a giveaway!

Ladies you won't want to miss either of these new blogs so go follow and support them on their new venture! And Linda, Betty, I'd like to say congrats on your new blogs and thanks for inviting us in your studio and home! I can't wait to see more!
Hugs to all, Libby

Did Someone Mention Snow???

Wow! Where has this year went? I see on the weather forecast that we have some snow expected today and over the weekend! BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! I feel sorry for the ones that have already had some and I miss warm weather, lol!  Having health problems and surgery this year has made it seem as if the year has flown by....or does everyone else think so too? Anyway, I missed out on so much and have got so far behind on everything, I'll never catch up, lol. And speaking of being behind on things, I closed my other blog as I just don't have the time.  Keeping the grand babies will have me super busy so I'll be making lots of changes for them and myself. One of those changes will be to my blog here....I'll be revising the whole thing to make things easier to find and navigate through. I plan on getting more organized with the tutorials, adding some of my graphics, and prim recipes. (I've come to realize this place is a mess and needs to be organized too, LMBO!) So some blog cleaning is definitely on the agenda. And as always, this blog will be mainly aimed for newbie prim crafters but hope it will be of use for all levels. Please bare with me as I update and make changes here. Till next time....Have Fun Crafting!
Hugs to all, Libby

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Hi all, I've been very busy this past week and into a little of everything. I did manage to get the shelf make-over painted plus did a smaller one but forgot to take before pics, lol. It also had a cutzy country heart up top that I cut out. (Sometimes you just can't cover those things and need to cut them out.)

This pic doesn't show it but it has black and mustard coming through the red and I love how the colors come out like that. It also has a grungy stain that you can't tell in pic.

And here's the little shelf I made over and painted black. I haven't decided to use star hooks where the pegs were or flat head nails? Jen suggested the nails and I'm leaning toward those myself.

Also finished painting all the Fall salt dough ornies but haven't taken pics of those yet. Then made grungy apples in crates for this year....just need to add the labels on the wood crates. These always go fast.

 And my latest creation are the salt dough pineapples....still a work in progress though.

Nope, they're not staying in that trencher of moss, I think they'll look wonderful on the cute little black shelf! This is a busy time of year for most and I hope to post more pics soon. As always....have fun crafting!
Hugs Libby

Take A Second Look

How many times have we passed up wood items at yard sales, flea markets, or thrifty stores cause of their "cutesy country" designs?! Most of those things can be made over for a new look and here's how I did one of mine....

I found this nice shelf while out and about one day and couldn't resist taking it home with me.

As you can see it had those cutesy country heart cut-outs in the design. So the first thing I did was use a round cup to mark cutting lines on both the top and bottom hearts as shown....

 












and....

Because of the lack of space for cutting I used my jigsaw to cut these out, then used my sander to blend back in with the original beveled edges. (Of course you can use other tools....just depends on your preference and project you're working on.) So here's what my shelf looks like and it's ready for some paint/distressing....

You don't always have to cut those out and can use decorative wood squares to place over top of them when possible, or maybe a wood or metal star....but you get the idea. So next time you see a nice cutesy country wood item, give it a second look and use your imagination on it's possibilities.

Wow, I've realized I haven't been keeping up with my blog as planned and it's past time for another giveaway! Wonder what I should come up with for that? Well, you'll have to keep watch to see, lol! Till next time....Have Fun Crafting!

Hugs, Libby